Synonyms of encourages

encourages

verb

present tense third-person singular of encourage

1

as in inspires

to fill with courage or strength of purpose

a pep talk that encouraged the team to get out there and win

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inspires
• emboldens
• reinforces
• stimulates
• heartens
• cheers (up)
• provokes
• buoys (up)
• bears up
• reassures
• animates
• enforces
• assures
• inspirits
• invigorates
• strengthens
• enlivens
• bucks up
• chirks (up)
• steels
• stirs
• excites
• energizes
• fortifies
• galvanizes
• rallies
• quickens
• boosts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• disheartens
• daunts
• undermines
• depresses
• saddens
• demoralizes
• weakens
• debilitates
• dispirits
• intimidates
• enfeebles
• hamstrings
• psychs (out)

2

as in promotes

to help the growth or development of

asserted that the government should be encouraging small businesses, not smothering them with regulations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• promotes
• cultivates
• fosters
• nurtures
• furthers
• advances
• nourishes
• supports
• assists
• forwards
• endorses
• advocates
• incubates
• nurses
• upholds
• aids
• subsidizes
• underwrites
• advertises
• backs
• champions
• endows
• funds
• finances
• stakes
• works (for)
• patronizes
• boosts
• abets
• campaigns (for)
• publicizes
• touts
• plugs
• agitates (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• prevents
• inhibits
• hinders
• prohibits
• forbids
• frustrates
• opposes
• enjoins
• proscribes
• counters
• bans
• contends (with)
• outlaws
• bars
• combats
• suppresses
• fights
• stifles
• represses
• subdues
• battles
• retards
• impedes
• arrests
• halts
• checks
• squashes
• interdicts
• obstructs
• interferes (with)
• squelches
• encumbers
• hobbles
• snuffs (out)
• shackles
• fetters
• manacles

3

as in provokes

to rouse to strong feeling or action

the movie's cheap special effects will not encourage audiences to sit on the edge of their seats but to roll in the aisles with laughter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provokes
• stimulates
• inspires
• motivates
• stirs
• arouses
• incites
• excites
• induces
• moves
• instigates
• sparks
• motives
• drives
• fires (up)
• triggers
• piques
• impassions
• revs (up)
• ignites
• activates
• bothers
• angers
• galvanizes
• animates
• energizes
• inflames
• fans
• enrages
• quickens
• foments
• vitalizes
• abets
• builds a fire under
• kindles
• keys (up)
• sets off
• gets
• annoys
• irritates
• teases
• ferments
• raises
• upsets
• exasperates
• aggravates
• whips (up)
• taunts
• maddens
• pumps up
• vexes
• jeers
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• appeases
• placates
• tranquilizes
• pacifies
• mollifies

4

as in urges

to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

the pastor continues to encourage the couple to work out their problems in hopes of saving their marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urges
• nudges
• prompts
• pushes
• exhorts
• spurs
• coaxes
• propels
• goads
• eggs (on)
• provokes
• prods
• stimulates
• drives
• implores
• presses
• beseeches
• hurries
• rushes
• pressures
• cajoles
• incites
• hustles
• importunes
• adjures
• foments
• instigates
• wheedles
• nags
• high-pressures
• stirs (up)
• blandishes
• needles
• soft-soaps

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• deters
• inhibits
• dissuades
• brakes
• restrains
• curbs
• constrains
• checks
• holds back

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of encourages

As the train passes under the Royal Gorge Bridge, Clawson encourages me to open the cab window, lean back, and look up. — Sarah Kuta, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

By featuring these leading organizations, the ranking sets a benchmark for employers across APAC and encourages businesses to place employee wellbeing, development, and inclusion at the core of their people strategies. — Time Staff, Time, 3 Nov. 2026

Warm soil encourages germination, while cooler air temperatures and seasonal rainfall can help young grass establish before winter. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Here’s how to create a safe environment that encourages communication. — Parents, 3 Nov. 2026

But our response to the unpleasant experience of cringing encourages us to close off those possibilities and to distance ourselves from the object of our cringe. — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 3 Nov. 2026

Hann believes everyone deserves to be heard and encourages others to express their opinions. — Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

KombiLife encourages owners to fill that space out with the likes of a bicycle, surfboards, skis or other adventure sports gear requiring a lengthy storage berth. — New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026

Earlier this month, at least eight states sued OpenAI, with Iowa’s lawsuit alleging that ChatGPT gives dangerous medical advice, encourages paranoia and coaches people to hurt others or kill themselves. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026